2:03 p.m. ET: "I have to tell you I’m happy today, I hope you’re happy today," Romney says at his campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia to cheers. "I know that the Democrats are working very hard today. They're pulling out all their books and they're looking at every vote and they're interviewing everybody in his neighborhood. They're not going to find anything."

1:58 p.m. ET: Ryan lists Romney's credentials, including leadership of the 2002 Olympics and governorship of Massachusetts, and criticizes Obama's tenure in office. "We’ve seen that hope and change has become attack and blame," under Obama, Ryan said.

1:54 p.m. ET: "We’re at that proverbial fork in the road. We have the choice of two futures ahead of us," Ryan at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:52 p.m. ET: Romney and Ryan are taking the stage at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:28 p.m. ET: The Obama campaign released a statement saying Vice President Joe Biden called Ryan "earlier today to congratulate him on his selection and welcome him to the race. The Vice President urged Congressman Ryan to enjoy the day with his family, and said he looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November."

1:24 p.m. ET: CNN's Chris Welch reports that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was considered to be on Romney's short list, said in Manchester, New Hampshire Ryan is "a bold leader with great ideas for trying to get this country back on track, and I think he and Governor Romney together will make a great team." Full Story

In July, Romney's campaign and the RNC raised $101.3 million - an average of $3.4 million per day. Most of that, however, was raised at high-dollar fund-raisers.

12:35 p.m. ET: Former President George W. Bush issued this statement, distributed by Romney's campaign:

"This is a strong pick. Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations."

12:26 a.m. ET: Republicans are piling praise on Romney for his choice of Rep. Ryan as his running mate. One prominent name yet to weigh in, however, is the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Democrats are also reacting, slamming Ryan for his budget plan and tax proposals.

"Rep. Paul Ryan admits that he is the poster child for controversial proposals to reform the nation's entitlement programs: For workers now under the age of 55, seniors would be given the option of choosing a private program instead of the traditional Medicare program and would receive money to offset the premium they have to pay. Federal spending for Medicaid would be sent to the states to manage, and the Social Security retirement age would gradually be raised to 70."

Another analysis, from New Yorker Washington Correspondent and CNN Contributor Ryan Lizza: "Romney has made the most daring decision of his political career. After spending weeks looking into Ryan’s history for The New Yorker, visiting his home town, and interviewing him twice, I am genuinely surprised that Romney chose him."

11:57 a.m. ET:

Wow, Mittsters break land speed record trying to distance from radical Ryan budget. Problem: it looks just like Mitt's!
abcn.ws/Pb7vAs

11:08 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney introduced Paul Ryan as his running mate on the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia, home of the largest naval base in the world. Yet the 2012 election marks the first time in 70 years that all four candidates vying for the White House haven't had any military experience.

10:58 a.m. ET: A first glimpse at the Romney campaign's new logo - with the name of the new running mate.

10:51 a.m. ET: Where does Paul Ryan stand on social issues? CNN's Erin Burnett asked him last spring.

10:50 a.m. ET: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, another Republican previously considered a top pick for Romney's running mate, released the following statement Saturday:
"Paul is a good friend and one of the smartest guys I served with in Congress. He has the courage of his convictions, which is what our nation needs."

10:47 a.m. ET:

10:44 a.m. ET:

The Gov already teaching the Ryan's the beauty of a peanut butter and honey sandwich. http://t.co/KiPb40CH

10:41 a.m. ET: Perspectives from around the web on Romney's pick of Ryan as his running mate:

Julian Zelizer on CNN.com: "The decision excites many conservatives who have been calling on Romney to go big. They believe Ryan will inject some juice into a campaign they feel has been lackluster and put the focus on the policy differences between Romney and President Obama."

John Podhoretz at Commentary Magazine: "The speech vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan delivered this morning gives a sense of the quality you get from being in a room with him: He’s not a fire-breather."

Wendell Potter on iWatch News: "If Americans who are embracing Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” — and that now includes Mitt Romney — spent a few minutes reviewing a few recent research reports, they just might conclude that the Wisconsin Republican’s plan to reduce the deficit might better be renamed the “Path to the Poorhouse” because of what it would mean to the Medicare program and many senior citizens."

Paul Begala at the Daily Beast: "With Ryan, Romney Has the Plutocrat Ticket"

10:25 a.m. ET: More from Beth Myers, who led Romney's search for a running mate. She spoke exclusively with CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger.

10:18 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign already has a webpage in place tearing apart the newly formed GOP ticket.

"Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney both support trillions in budget-busting tax cuts for millionaires that will result in tax hikes on the middle class and deep cuts in education and other investments we need to grow," the page begins.

Responding to the Democrats' attacks on Ryan, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said on CNN: "It's nothing but smear tactics, once again, because President Obama doesn’t want ot talk about his economic record."

10:14 a.m. ET: What has Obama said about Ryan's budget plan? He slammed it in April, calling it "thinly-veiled Social Darwinism."

"It is antithetical to our entire history as a land of opportunity and upward mobility for everyone who's willing to work for it - a place where prosperity doesn't trickle down from the top, but grows outward from the heart of the middle class," Obama said.

"What he wants is a couple things," Myers said. "First of all, he wants all the information, and we went about a very thorough process in making sure we had a lot of information about a broad group. He also doesn't like to rule anything out until he has to."

10:07 a.m. ET:

according to Romney internal talking points, Romney will not embrace the Ryan plan

10:00 a.m. ET: Romney's slip-up when he introduced Ryan as "the next president of the United States" isn't the first time a presidential candidate made that mistake. Then-candidate Obama introduced Joe Biden in 2008 by saying "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president - of the United States of America, Joe Biden!"

9:44 a.m. ET: Ryan is finishing up his speech by listing his perceived contrasts between the GOP ticket and the Democrats: "We won't duck the tough issues, we will lead! We won't blame others, we will take responsibility! We won't replace our founding principles, we will reapply them!"

9:42 a.m. ET: Ryan: "We Americans look at one another's success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted."

9:41 a.m.

random thoughts: how will this pick affect P90X stock? new trail fashion - tie or jacket but not both?

9:39 a.m. ET: Ryan, to cheers: "I'm proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in the economy. That knows if you have a small business, you did build that."

That's a reference to a speech Obama gave in July. Here's the full quote from Obama:

"If you are successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet."

9:37 a.m. ET: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, previously considered a top VP pick for Romney, released the following statement Saturday:

"Congressman Ryan is a respected leader and a bold thinker regarding the changes needed to restore America. His selection will also help Governor Romney win the key swing state of Wisconsin. I am excited about a Romney-Ryan ticket and look forward to doing all I can to help them win this election."

9:34 a.m. ET: Ryan: "My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. He said you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. Pres Obama has become part of the problem, not the solution."

9:32 a.m. ET: Ryan: I am committed in heart and mind to putting my experience to work in a Romney administration.

9:31 a.m. ET:

Then Romney puts his arm around Ryan and says, "Every once in awhile I make a mistake." Comedy Central producers cheer.

9:30 a.m. ET: Ryan, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt with no tie, says "Gov. Romney is the man for this moment."

9:29 a.m. ET: Romney corrected his mistake: "I'm known to make a mistake every once and a while. I didn't make a mistake with this guy."

9:28 a.m. ET: Romney introduced Ryan as "The next president of the United States." (Yes he said "president" not "vice president") Ryan walked on stage to the same music as Romney.

9:27 a.m. ET: Romney: "Today's a good day for America, and there are better days ahead"

9:25 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina released the following statement as Romney was speaking Saturday, reacting to Romney's choice of Ryan as his running mate.

“In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes.”

9:22 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney officially announced Ryan as his running mate, saying his "integrity in unquestioned and his word is good."

9:19 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell introduced Mitt Romney to cheers. Romney walked down a set of stairs on the U.S.S. Wisconsin to sweeping orchestral music - a change from his normal country western soundtrack.

9:16 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell is warming up the crowd in Norfolk, slamming President Barack Obama for what he said were policies harmful to small businesses.

9:13 a.m. ET: As Romney prepares to name Ryan as his running mate, Democrats will be eager to pounce on Ryan's controversial budget plan. Read more about Democrats' past criticisms of Ryan's plan here.

8:56 a.m. ET: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, also previously mentioned as a potential running mate for Romney, will speak in Norfolk ahead of the presumptive GOP nominee and his vice presidential pick.

8:54 a.m. ET: Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, previously considered a top choice for Romney's running mate, released a statement Saturday wishing Ryan the best:

"Mitt Romney has made a great choice in Paul Ryan. He is an accomplished public servant and a leading voice on the most pressing issues facing our country. Paul is one of my best friends in Congress and someone I have worked closely with as a former colleague on the House Ways & Means Committee."

"Jane and I wish Paul and Janna and their kids the very best. As the Chairman of the Romney campaign in Ohio, I look forward to working with Paul to ensure that the Romney-Ryan ticket carries Ohio and is victorious in November. Most importantly, as a member of the Senate, I look forward to working closely with a Romney-Ryan Administration to restore fiscal sanity and enact pro-growth policies to create jobs."

8:52 a.m. ET: Before Romney and Ryan took the stage in Norfolk, former Virginia Gov. George Allen rallied the crowd. Allen is locked in a battle for a U.S. Senate seat with Tim Kaine, also a former Virginia governor and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

8:49 a.m. ET:

Will be interesting to see, starting today, if Ryan can sell his plan to America as well as he did to GOP. #CNN

8:35 a.m. ET: The Romney campaign released excerpts from Rep. Ryan's speech in Norfolk, slated to start at 9 a.m. ET (watch live on CNN or here). More excerpts to come.

Ryan will say: "I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation."

"I’m proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business—you did build that."

8:34 a.m. ET:

Campaign is still planning on 9a start time for Romney/Ryan event. Romney is here at event site.

Ryan Lizza (New Yorker Washington correspondent and CNN contributor) wrote of Ryan earlier this month: "Tall and wiry, with a puff of wavy dark hair, he is nearly as well known in Washington for his punishing early-morning workouts as he is for his mastery of the federal budget.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page, earlier this week: "His working-class roots and middle American values would counter the stereotype of Mr. Romney as too rich and disconnected to average concerns."

8:16 a.m. ET:FROM CNN IREPORT:
Rick Huffman, a conservative iReporter in Saint Joseph, Michigan, says it's "very good news." He wanted Marco Rubio for Romney's VP but says Ryan is a good choice. "With him next to Romney, my hopes are even higher that Romney will win this election."

7:13 a.m. ET:Here's an image of the message Romney sent to supporters announcing Ryan as his VP pick.

7:07 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney's campaign sent an official announcement on their smart phone app announcing Ryan as the vice presidential pick. "Mitt's choice for VP is Paul Ryan. Spread the word about America's Comeback Team #RomneyRyan2012," the message read.

7:05 a.m. ET: As Mitt Romney prepares to unveil his running mate pick Saturday morning, recent polls show President Barack Obama has expanded his margin over the presumptive GOP nominee.

According to a CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday, 52% of registered voters say they would support the president, while 45% are backing Romney.

6:56 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaigned together in Wisconsin ahead of the state's April 3 GOP primary. They also happened to be campaigning together on April Fools Day. Here's a look at what ensued.

6:52 a.m. ET: Polls show Americans are largely unsure of Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee. A CNN/ORC International survey taken August 7-8 showed 54% of those polled saying they didn't know enough about Ryan to form an opinion. Twenty-seven percent said they viewed the Wisconsin congressman favorably and 19% viewed him unfavorably. Read more on brand new polling numbers on Ryan here.

6:50 a.m. ET: Who is Paul Ryan? For starters, he's considered a rising GOP star and the Republican Party's leader on fiscal and budgetary issues. Read more here.

soundoff(821 Responses)

ohsilly

Are nation was faultering under bush, and Obama has *accelerated* all the things that Bush did.... we are broke and we are losing the people who create the real wealth. Obama is nothing more than an MTV hip, pretty, big smile version of Bush.... he is Bush II.
Mitt Romney knows exactly why corporations move overseas.... and he knows what it will take to attract them back (remember, it is those "evil" businessmen that employ us and provide the wealth to feed our social programs)
We become a banana republic under Obama and/or other statists.

August 11, 2012 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

Liz the First

The last nail in Mittens' campaign! thank you, Willard, for putting the guy on the ticket who embodies the rethugs' philosophy of money over people. maybe even more of your base will get the message now. anyone other than a millionaire who votes for this pair is nuts! FORWARD!

August 11, 2012 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

Pack it in

Great, so Obama wins the election?

I'm looking forward to another 4 years of 1.5% GDP growth and 8+% unemployment...

August 11, 2012 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

jlfliberty

Romney/Ryan 2012!

Do it for our children's future.................

August 11, 2012 09:03 am at 9:03 am |

Grinning Libber

Can you hear the cheering from the White House?
The Palin pick was brilliant by comparison.
LANDSLIDE POTUS OBAMA!

August 11, 2012 09:03 am at 9:03 am |

Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

Thank you Mitt Romney. President Obama now has a 15 point lead on you. Four more years. Obama/Biden/Roberts 2012!

August 11, 2012 09:03 am at 9:03 am |

tos

Seems some people do not want to hear the truth, which is that we are broke. It's the economy!
Obama can't fix it.
Romney/Ryan 2012

August 11, 2012 09:04 am at 9:04 am |

markie

No thanks for Ryan....he wants to cut more so to give more money to the rich while saddling us middle class and the poor with more taxes! Vote democratic! Democrats care about helping people. Republicans care about helping the wealthy and the corporations. Game's over, Mitt!

Romney is in Norfolk, VA – in front of a WAR SHIP – making an announcement of his VP-Pick – Ryan, who wants to increase DEFENSE spending and turn Medicare into a VOUCHER PROGRAM-by privatizing it – And then you have ALLEN-the Racist – McDonnell, the sonogram-man and the audience that is PURE WHITE – Wow, what a memorable picture!!

Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!!

August 11, 2012 09:05 am at 9:05 am |

JohnMm

It is officially now the Romney budget! How can a presidential candidate run on his VP running mate's platform? LOL

August 11, 2012 09:06 am at 9:06 am |

clflores

Another Sarah Palin decision; bold but meaningless. Paul Ryan is more likable than Mitt Romney but he has no foreign relations experience, no business experience, and is out of touch with the needs of America. The only thing he may add to the ticket is Wisconsin.

August 11, 2012 09:06 am at 9:06 am |

EffortPA

Vote Republican and you can expect us to start more wars (Iran and Syria may be the first two). To pay for it, you can expect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits to be drastically reduced.

Both Republicans and Democrats love to spend money that we don't have. The only difference is that Republicans love to spend it financing wars in other countries that hate us while the Democrats love to spend it on benefits that help the majority of Americans.

August 11, 2012 09:06 am at 9:06 am |

Li

How dumb of Romney to bow to pressure of WSJ and other GOPiers that are, like him, out of touch with reality. It only confirms that Mittens will do or say anything to get votes. The fact is that the election is over today by this announcement and Romney just lost. Romney has no experience in either domestic or foreign policy. His chosen running mate has none at all. Two super rich guys that don't or can't feel the pains of common people. They just lost the election. That's my pediction and watch my words. It's over! and thank goodness it is.

August 11, 2012 09:06 am at 9:06 am |

chedar888

Romneyhood finally found his littlejohn. Together they go to the woods and came out with a "Death Panel" for grandma.
They lost the Latino, the black, the middle class, women and the rest of the minority vote. What is left are the junkies that will support and vote for these two. Good luck America!

August 11, 2012 09:07 am at 9:07 am |

Steve

Only goes to show you HOW far removed from reality the GOP is these days. God bless 'em. They'll need all the help they can get in this election. It would be REALLY nice to have the GOP field come candidates that were a bit better grounded – but alas we have a cast of circus characters involved: Cain, Romney, Perry, Bachman, Trump, Palin (yes her legacy with the party will live on forever)....maybe we SHOULD pay politicians a bit more so we can actually attract some people to public office WITH A BRAIN!

August 11, 2012 09:08 am at 9:08 am |

janice

at first I thought it was a bad idea, but actually, the media has been defining Ryan in their liberal terms, and saying things that are actually quite untrue about his plans for SS and medicare if you actually read the proposal and that is about to change; if you have ever heard the man speak he comes across as a very smart guy, very likeable guy who explains conservatism and the reasons behind his plans with excellent clarity...sounds like a grown up, does not get emotional but does not come across as rigid and lacking personality...I have heard him on Hanidity refuse to get baited into grandieous negative simplifications and instead thoughtfully answer questions with tossing out talking points...

August 11, 2012 09:08 am at 9:08 am |

IO

Every day I hear people say Romney just lost the election. You can't lose something you never had to begin with.

August 11, 2012 09:08 am at 9:08 am |

Evelyn

Romney is an arrogant ass to begin with. and he picks a guy who wants to gut Social Security and Medicare .May they both rot in Hell.

This is the same fox in a chicken coop story. Who would have thought that the one person that would decimate the social security fund and transfer more wealth to the 1-percenters to exacerbate the federal deficit, would be tapped to become the vice president of America? Only in the Romney world. Let the fight begin!

August 11, 2012 09:09 am at 9:09 am |

Dnick47

The Repubs have now completed their conversion to National Socialism. Zeig Heil!!!!!

August 11, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |

u laby

Uh huh and Biden is such a better running mate. Start focusing on the issues people and not hand-outs.

August 11, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |

Li

Loosers!!!

August 11, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |

Kevin

Keep feeding off the government libs. If you make everyone dependent on the government they will surely keep the dems in power. Romney and Ryan are not right wingers in the least bit. If you voted for Obama to prove you're not racist in 2008, vote against him in 2012 to prove you're not stupid.

August 11, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |

JohnMm

Republicans hate food stamps but now they want to turn Medicare into health stamps. Go figure. I can just see the next Obama advertisement: A senior citizen digging through her purse trying to come up with enough Medicare Stamps to pay her doctor for the visit. I can't wait!!!

August 11, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |

A Little R & R Not Good

Wow... Picking Ryan as his veep ....

This means if elected the dooms day clock starts...

Folks the Wealthy will never ever have to pay taxes again...

So please vote with a response of selling off Alaska or Hawaii since we are so far in debt now that the American flag is going to change to the new owners who have bought the most bonds we love to sell but never pay back...